Hinge and vent assembly for toilet bowls



y 1956 c. w. MCMILLAN 2,743,462

HINGE AND VENT ASSEMBLY FOR TOILET BOWLS Filed Feb. 25, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG .1. P161151 ,80 J 23 .2 -(h 31 83 U -v 2.1 3 HUME, 22 22 10-9 FIG .13.

FIG 14. 120132 INVENTOR Carl WM Mil Z312 ATTORNEY/6 1, 1956 c. w. M MILLAN HINGE AND VENT ASSEMBLY FOR TOILET BOWLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1953 3g 5.2 37 4M 59 39/ 53 58 W/ '6 ATTORNEY/ May 1, 1956 2,743,462

C. W. M MILLAN HINGE AND VENT ASSEMBLY FOR TOILET BOWLS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 25, 1953 FIG .1]. I

INVENTOR far-l M H W1 [1a,]:

ATTORNEYJ May 1956 c. w. M MILLAN 2,743,462

HINGE AND VENT ASSEMBLY FOR TOILET BOWLS Filed Feb. 25, "1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 99 naza.

FIG. 21. 36

I W H6118.

F1] 34 INVENTOR Carl WMMZ'ZZJIZ.

ATTORNEYS United States Patent HINGE AND VENT ASSEMBLY FOR TOILET BOWLS Carl W. McMillan, Reno, Nev. Application February 25, 1953, Serial No. 338,688

7 Claims. (Cl. 4-213) The present invention relates to an improved ventilating means and hinge assembly for toilet bowls. and the like.

An important object consists in providing a hinge and vent assembly for the seat and cover of a toilet bowl and which can be installed on either an old or a new bowl at a minimum expenditure of time, labor and cost.

A further object comprehends the provision of a hinge assembly which constitutes a unitary part of the bowl structure and includes a passageway which communicates with the bowl when the seat is in its operative position so as to withdraw noxious gases therefrom. In order to prevent splashings from entering the air passage regardless of the position of the seat, means in theform of a louvered opening is provided at the outer end of the air passage. The hinge member includes a downwardly extending flanged portion positioned in front of the louvered open ing to prevent liquid in the. bowl from 'passing upwardly into the air passage. I

Another object is to provide an improved hinge structure which includes a horizontal portion that is pivotally connected to the bowl and to which the toilet seat is secured. The horizontal portion of the hinge member is preferably formed with a solid outwardly and laterally extending central portion and spaced; side arms which extend outwardly from the central portion and are connected to an intermediate portion so that when the seat is connected to the hinge member, it coacts therewith to form an air space in front of the central solid portion which communicates with air passages on opposite sides of the central solid portion to facilitate the withdrawal of noxious gases from the bowl in a simple and eflicient manner.

Another object consists in providing a compact and concealed electrical means operatively connected to the toilet seat and a suction fan for controlling the operation of the fan upon the actuation of the seat.

A still further object is to associate with the rooms of a building a ventilating system which includes arranging the bowls in any suitable manner in a building so that each toilet bowl communicates with a common main air pipe through a junction box which in turn is connected to the air discharge pipe leading from the toilet bowl.

Maintained within each of the junction boxes are a series of pivotally connected shutter blades positioned to control the escape of noxious gases or air from the bowl into the discharge pipe. An electrically operable suction fan communicates with a main or common discharge pipe and may be positioned in any convenient location such as in the attic or basement of the building so as to create a suction for withdrawing the foul gases from the bowl. The shutter blades are provided with means of operatively connecting them to electrical means which normally move the blades from their closed position and which upon the fan being electrically operated simul taneously causes the operation of the blades, sovas to move them to their open position in order to allow the free disi the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

above the fan and others below the fan, and

2,743,462 Batented May 1, 1956 2 charge of the noxious gases from the bowl into the main discharge pipe. i

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be: come apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims and; draw lllgS. Referring to the drawings in which are shown several preferred embodiments the invention may assume: f Figure l is a detail. sectional view of a building showing one of. the many various arrangements of the toilet'seat's; each toilet being provided with an improved hinge and vent assembly constructed inaccordance' with the present.

invention. a

Figure 2 is a detailplan view of: one of the toilet seats shown in Figure 1 with the seat and cover removed so as to show the construction of the hinge vent assembly Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2. i

Figure 5- is an enlarged sectional view taken sub tially along the line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detail plan view similar to Figure 2 of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line /-7 of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a detail side view-of the compression switch casing that may. be associated with the hinge assembly ofabowl. Figure 9. is a sectional view, talren substantially along the line 9-9 of Figure 6. k Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 10 10. of Figure/ 6. e Figure 11 is anenlar ged sectional view taken substan- Figure 15 is an electrical diagram of a plurality of in? stallations.

Figure 16. is a detail perspective view of the tubular member or axle for .r'novably supporting the seat shown in Figure 2. i

Figure 17 is a detail plan view of a modified form of the invention showing a construction 'in which the cover is removed and the seat is pivotally connected to the tubular member. i

Figure 18 is a detail side View with parts in section showing the means for connecting. the discharge pipes shown in Figure 7 to the junction box. i

Figure 19 is an electrical diagram of a single hinge installation.

Figure 20 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of a multiple hookup illustrating a combination "of horizontal and vertical installations with the' junction boxes on difierent floors and the fan located in the basement of a building. I

Figurell is another modification showing a combination of horizontal and vertical installations with'the junction boxes on different floors with some of the boxes Figure 22 is a modification showing a horizontal installation with all the junction boxes being on'the same floor and the fan located in the garage or utility room.

Referring to the drawings, 20 indicates the attic floor of a building (Fig. l) and 21 the lower floors. Each 0 of h fisqrs 2.1 a be waded w t i ts 22- cover 25. An air discharge pipe 26 extends rearwardly from each of the hinge assemblies which will hereinafter be described, and communicates with a main air discharge vent'pipe 27 that may extend in any direction to reach the suction fan and be so positioned as to constitute a common or single means for withdrawing the noxious gases from the toilet bowls. A suction fan 28 is shown communicating with the upper end of the vent pipe 27 and is operatively connected to a compression switch located in and operable by the seat 24 in a manner hereinafter to be described. The fan 28 is shown arranged in the attic of the building but manifestly may be located in the basement or any other convenient place so as to create a suction in the pipe 27 for withdrawing noxious gases from each of the toilet bowls on the various floors of the building.

Each of the toilet bowls 23 is provided adjacent the rear thereof with a lateral flange or shoulder 29 having spaced transverse openings 30 for receiving the threaded retaining bolts 31 (Fig. 4) to which are connected at their lower ends the nuts 32 and the washers 33. The upper end of one of the pair of bolts 31 is provided with a head 34 (Fig. 3) having a recess 35 in one side thereof. The other bolt 31 has a head 36 provided with an annular opening or loop 37 (Fig. 3) in transverse alignment with the recess, 35 and coacting therewith to provide a support for a transversely disposed hollow member or axle 38 which has its outer closed end 39 mounted in the recess 35 and its opposite end 40 extending through the opening 37 and threaded as at 41 so as to be connected by the coupling nut 42 (Fig. 2) to one end of the air vent pipe 26 so as to communicate with the main or common discharge pipe 27 (Fig. l). The hollow member or tubular pintle 38 may be maintained in a fixed position relative to the bolts 31 by the set screws 43.

The seat 24 and the cover 25 are pivotally connected to the bowl 23 so as to be independently moved rela tive thereto by an improved hinge and vent assembly which preferably includes a hinge member generally indicated by the numeral 44 (Fig. 2). This hinge member maybe made of metal, porcelain or other suitable durable material and comprises a tubular portion 45 (Fig. 4) that is shaped to extend around the fixed tubular member 38 and is positioned between the pair of spaced hinge straps 46 having the counter sunk openings 47 for receiving the screws 48 (Fig. 4) that secure the cover 25 thereto. Each of the straps 46 terminates in a looped end 49 which is rotatably mounted on the tubular member or axle 38. The hinge member 44 has extending outwardly and laterally from the tubular portion 45 toward the front of the bowl an upper wall 50 and a spaced lower wall 51 (Fig. 4) of greater length than the wall 50 so as to form a pair of spaced closed air spaces 52 and an open air space 59 which is closed by the seat 24 when the latter is connected to the hinge member. The tubular member 38 has an elongated slot 53 in the side thereof (Fig. 3) which communicates with the air spaces 52 and 59 so as to provide direct communication of the hollow or tubular member 38 with the interior of the bowl 23. The hinge member has extending outwardly from the tubular portion 45 the spaced curved arms 54 (Fig. 2) which are connected together by a curved front portion or web 55 which is spaced from a parallel disposed lip 56 formed on the outer end of the wall 51 so as to provide a louvered opening 57. In other words, the downwardly and rearwardly extending member 55 coacts with the lip 56 to provide a fluid trap for preventing splashings from the bowl entering the air spaces 52 and 59 when the seat 24 is in its raised or lowered position. The hinge member 44 is also formed centrally with a solid portion 58 that is spaced from the arms 54 so as to provide the spaced air vent passages 52 on opposite sides of the solid portion 58. The sides of the hinge member are formed with countersunk openings 60 for receiving retaining screws that secure the seat 24 thereto.

It will be seen that when the seat is applied to the hinge member 44, (Fig. 4) and the seat is in its operative position, it will coact with the spaced walls 50 and 51 to form the louvered air passages 57 and the enlarged passage 59 which communicates with the spaced passages 52 that in turn communicate with the hollow fixed mem ber 38 through the slot 53. The slot 53 is of such a length as to communicate with both of the passages 52 so that when the fan 28 is turned on it will create a suction for drawing the oxious gases, in the direction of the arrows (Fig. 4), from the bowl to the pipe 27 to any suitable point of discharge. It will be observed that the lip 56 extends upwardly into the enlarged centrally dis-- posed passage 59 and terminates short of the bottom of the seat 24. Further, both the depending portion 55 of the hinge member 44 and the lip or flange 56 slope or extend inwardly so as to form the louvered opening 57, thus providing means for preventing splashings in the bowl from entering the air slots or passages 59 regardless of the position of the seat 24 relative to the bowl.

The centrally disposed solid portion 58 of the hinge member is provided with an elongated recess 61 (Fig. 2) and the bottom of this recess has a slot 62. A low voltage compression switch is arranged to be mounted in the recess 61 and may include a casing 63 (Fig. 8) in which is mounted a movable contact blade 64 (Fig. 10) and a fixed contact blade 65 having downwardly inclined cont-act fingers or ends 66. A sponge rubber cushion 67 is mounted in the casing and is provided with spaced holes or openings 68 in which are positioned the contact fingers 66. The bottom 69 of the casing is provided with a slot 70 through which extends an insulated push bar 71 having a retaining shoulder portion 72 that engages the adjacent bot-tom wall of the casing. The push bar 71 is connected to the movable contact blade 64 by any suitable means such as the screws 73. The casing 63 has a removable cover 74 provided with depending sides 75 formed with an opening 76 through which extends the electrical cable 77 (Fig. 9) carrying the contact wires 78 and 79 which are connected to the mov able blade 64 and the fixed contact 65 respectively. The cable 77 may extend from the casing 63 through one of the air passages 52 into the hollow member 38 and through the air pipe 26 into the main pipe 27 so as to be operatively connected to the fan 28. It will be seen that the electrical Wiring or cable 77 is concealed within the hinge assembly and follows the same course as the air flow.

In Figure 15 is shown a diagram of a wiring system which may be associated with the electric ventilator system for controlling the operation of the suction fan 28 as well as the juction box 99 (Fig. 12) when used with multiple hookups of toilet bowls (Fig. 1). As shown, a pair of lead wires 80 and 81 from any suitable source of electrical energy such as the usual volts, may be connected to a transformer 82 through the lead wires 83 and also to the fan 28 through an electrical relay 84 in which is mounted the switch 85.

In operation, it will be seen that when the seat 24 engages the bowl 23 and downward pressure is applied thereto, the push bar 71 is pressed against the rim of the bowl (Fig. 4) which causes the rubber cushion 67 to be compressed. At the same time the contact 64 is moved into engagement with one or both of the fingers 66 of the fixed contact 65 so as to close the circuit to the fan 28 and create a suction in the bowl in order to withdraw the noxious gases and air therefrom through the louvered air slot 57 into the enlarged central passage 59 and through'the spaced passages 52 into the hollow member 38 and the discharge pipe 26. The downwardly curved lip portion 55 of the hinge member 44 is so positioned relative to the opening 57 as to provide guard means for preventing splashings from the bowl entering the air passage 59 and mixing with the noxious gases as they are withdrawn from the bowl. The length of the inside lip 56 is such as to coact with the flange or lip r a 55 to further prevent splashin gs from entering thep'assa e 59 when the seat 241's raised relative to'thebow1'23;

It will be manifest that with the incorporation of junction boxes 99, one or more toilet ybowls may be provided with the hinge assembly for causing the operation of the suction fan upon depression of' the seat 24. In order to tightly and firmly secure the hinge to the toilet bowl without chipping o'r o-cra-ckin'g its glazed finish, rubberwashers 37 are provided to equalize the pressure caused by tightening the nuts 35. The discharge gases from the pipe 2 6' may be ventedto the basement, attic or garage, or directly out of doors asdesired or as building regulations require. When the pressure on the seat 24' is released from the switch, the rubber cushion 67 expands to its normal position so as to move the contact 64 downwardly and away from the fixed contact 66, thus breaking: the electric circuit to the fan; i 1

The modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 5, 6- and 7 is substantially similar to the form previously described, with the exception that hollow bolts 88 are substituted for the solid bolts 31 previously described. Each of the bolts 83 at its upper end has an enlarged head S9 provided with a side recess 90' that constitutes a hearing or supporting surface for the adjacent end of a hollow or tubular member 911 Member 91*"has a cutoutportionSEV at each end thereof that register with the adjacent hollow bolt 88' so as to provide a passage which communicates through-"an elongatedopening or slot 93* and the spaced openings 92" inthe member 44, with the interior of the bowl in substantially the-same manner as the openings- 52 and '53 previously described for the purpose of withdrawing the air 'andgases from the bowl. The hingemerhher -44 an d its associated parts are otherwise similar to the construction shown in Fig. 4-. The lower portion of each of the-tubular bolts 88 is externally threaded as at 93 so" as to receive a nut 94 which may be spaced from theea-r then bowl orthe 1'ike29'by a washer Air ventf or discharge pipes 96 are connected tothe hollow bolts ssby' the coupling nuts 97 and these pipes: may be connect-ed t'o'the discharge pipe'27 (Fig; l) by a junctionbox 99-. The hollow member 91 is; maintained in a fixed position within the heads 89 of the hollow bolts 88in" any sui'ta'ble'manner as by 'theset screws 93':

Thejunctio'ri box or housing 99 has an' open side 100 which is closed by a removable cover 101 (Fig. 11) The cover 101' may have a centrally disposed externally threaded tubular boss or nipple 1'02 to which may be 7 connected the outer end of the airpipe 26 (Fig; 2) em pair of parallel spaced openings 96 for receiving the pipes 96 (Fig; 7) connected to the tubular Bolts 88- so afsi-to withdraw the nox-iou'sig'as'es from the bowl and conduct the same into thehousin'g 99' and the main suction pipe 27; Thepipe 26 (Fig. 11 ,is clamped to the boss 102 by the coupling nut f03 "between which and the end ot the nipple may beinterposed "a; washer 104 so asto provide a sealbetween the parts. Each of" the pipes 96 may be similarly clamped to the walls of the openings 96" by the nuts 97' (Fig; 1 8'); The junction box W" has extending laterallyfrom one side thereof a fiat plate orflange 105 provided with openings- 106' for receiving screws so as to secure the junction box tothe studding'or wall of abuilding. The junction box also may be formed with openings 1117 (Fig: 12 arranged" to receive screws carried by the cover 101 for detachably seeur-ingthel'atter to the box. The inside of box 99 has a shelfor bracket'1'08on whichis mo'u'ntedan electrical magnet 109 with which is operatively associated-a lever no I pivoted as at 11 1 to' the bracket 108"- and having its lower'end connected by a" tie rod 112'- t'oan" outer ring o r 'annul'ar' flat membe-r 1 18: Asp'ring 114 yield'ably conmeets the ring113 to the bracket 108 so as to normally cause the ring 115 to be rotated" in" a''- counter-clockwise d ireo'tion't "rhe -shel-falos may be seeu'red 'tothe-junction boxhy the shelf support bolts (Fig. I2). Associated with the-ring113, which will he referred to as the oute'r' vring, is a concentric inner ring 116 (Fig. 14) which is rotatably connected to the inside of the junction box or housing 99 by a fixed annular ring or member117 secured to the inner wall of the housing 99' in any suitable man- 7 her such as by the "circurnferentially spaced screws or threaded bolts 117. The inner ring 116 is of larger diameter than the fixed ring 117 and has its inner periphery or" illustration. The shutter blades 120 are connected to the fixed ring 117 by the spaced pins 121. Each blade 120 hash hole 122 arranged to register with a screw 117' so as to provide access thereto. Each of the blades 12% has an elongated slot 123 in which is slid'able a pin or rivet 124' so as to guide and control the movement of the blade when the movable rings 1'13 and 116 "are rotated relative to the fixed ring 117. The fixed ring 117 acts as a track for the rotatable rings 116 arid 113 to rotate thereon. The side of the ju-nctior'i box 99' o'pposite to the opening 160 is formed centrally with a tubular hub 125 whichyas shown, is connected to a fitting 126- that in turn is connected to the main air suction pipe or line 27'. The fitting 12 6 may be of any angular shape depending upon the installation with Which it is' arssociated. The fitting 126 is showtias crossshap'ed and has openings 128 which communicates with the interior of the junction boxes or housings 99. Theshu tterf blades litl are rotatably connected to the housing 99 By the fixed ring 117 so as to extend-acrossthe opening the main suction line 27 from drawing the air from this howl 23 when it is not in use. The tension of the spring 114 norm-ally causes the shutter blades to be maintained in their closed position as particularly shown inFi-gure 13 so as to cut off communication of the interior of the junction box with thepipe 27.

In operation when the seat' 24 of any one of any ohm-e toilet bowls 2'3 in a multiple hookup is pressed against the top of a bowl, the push bar 71 associated with this particular bowl will cause the rubber cushion 67 to be compressed in the manner as previously de scribed so as to bring the movable contact 64 in engagem'e'n'twith the fingers 66 of the fixed con t'act and thus close an electrical circuit to the suction fan 28. At the some time, the current fr'omthe main-lines 80'and 81 which is designed fo'r'l'iigh coltage such" as usually used in housing current, is dropped by' rne'anso'fthe' transformer 32 (Fig. 15) to pass through the low voltage wires 12? and 130. v The last mentioned wires-may carry-"about 6 volts so as to eliminate all possibilities of fire hazards and to' m ake' it safe for use near water. By means of the low voltage wires 129 and 130 the electrical current is connected'to the compression switch 63' of bowl 2 3 and then to the relay 84' so as to close switch 84- and complete the circuit and operate the suction fan 28. In a multiple hookup of bowls 23 the lowvoltage'cur'rent from wires 129 and 130 is carried through the ma net 109, in juii'ction box'99 (Fig; 12 andthen'on into" the switch 63 (Fig 15); The energizing of the magnet 109 causes the upper end of the lever to be moved towards the magnet; which in turn through the connection of the tie-rod 112- causes the outer rin'g 11'3 fo'b'e' notatedclockwi'se' against the 'tension of the spring 114. Therotation of'the rings 1'13"an'd116 simul taneously causes movement of eachv of the shutter blades 120 by reason of the sliding movement of the slots 123 relative to the pin 124 thus moving the blades from their closed position shown in Figure 13 to their open position as shown in Figure 14. This movement causes the shutter blades to be swung about their pivots 121 and be forced outwardly to provide openings between adjacent blades to establish communication of the interior of the junction box 99 with the main discharge pipe 27 so that the suction of the fan 28 will cause the withdrawal of the noxious gases from the toilet bowl 23 in the manner as previously described. The shutter blades 120 will remain in their open position as long as the compression switch 63 maintains the electric circuit closed or in other words, as long as the push bar 71 exerts downward pressure on the top of the bowl. When this pressure is released, the rubber cushion 67 of the compression switch expands causing the contact 64 to be moved away from the contact 66 thus breaking the electric circuit and deencrgizing the magnet 109. The tension of the spring 114 then causes simultaneous rotation of the outer ring 113 and inner ring 116 in a counter-clockwise direction which in turn moves the lever 11G away from the magnet 109. At the same time, the rotation of the outer ring 113 and inner ring 116 exerts pressure on the slots 123 in the shutter blades 120 which causes the latter to swing about their pivots 121, and move the blades inwardly so that the parts assume their normal closed position as shown in Figure 12, thus closing the passage or communication of the air vent pipe 26 with the main discharge pipe 27.

Each of the junction boxes or housings 99 is so designed that the flange 105 may extend from either side thereof so that it may work in any desired position and be connected in any position to the Wall of a building. As shown in Figure 11, each wall 131 may have an outer surface of plaster 132 or any other wall finishin-g material which is supported by the studding or lath 133 and is provided with an opening through which the junction box or housing extends so as to be properly connected by the fitting 126 to the main discharge air vent 27. The junction box or housing 99 may be provided with the spaced spring grip members 134 and 135 (Fig. 11) for receiving the opposite ends of the wires 78 and 79 (Fig. 9). The members 134 and 135 are located on the inside of the junction box and are provided with complementary formed spring grip members or clips 136 and 137 respectively (Fig. 11) so as to provide means for conducting the electricity from the concealed wiring inside of each box 99 to the Wiring on the outside, without losing or dissipating any of the suction developed by the fan 28 for withdrawing the gases from the bowl.

It will be seen that while any one of the compression switches 63 (Fig. in a multiple hookup will cause the operation of the suction fan 28 and simultaneously opens the shutters 120 in the junction box 99 when its associated seat is depressed, it will operate only the hinge assembly with which it is associated. However, this switch either singularly or in conjunction with the other switches in the other closet bowls are operatively connected to the suction fan by the electrical system so that the fan operates when any one of these seats is depressed. However, this switch will only cause the magnet 109 in the junction box 99 to which it is attached to become energized therefore causing only the one set of shutters blades 120 to open while all of the others in the multiple hookup remain closed. The hinge and vent assembly constitutes an integral or unitary part of a water closet bowl and takes the place of the conventional type of hinge while assuming the multi-purpose of both a hinge and vent so as to constitute what may be referred to as a venting hinge. Further, the parts are constructed and arranged so as to be readily installed or dismantled on either an old or a new toilet bowl without the necessity of purchasing a new seat and cover. Accordingly, the hinge parts may be assembled inpackage form containing the hinge, motor, fan, transformer, relay, air coupling, electric wiring, and so forth, so that when purchased by an individual it can be taken home and readily installed at a minimum expenditure of time, labor and cost.

The particular formation and arrangement of the hinge assembly including the location and configuration of the louvered opening 57 and its associated parts provide simple and efiicient means for preventing splashings and the like from entering the passage 50 regardless of the position of the seat 24. Further, the electric wiring in all forms of the invention is concealed and follows the same course as the air flow into the pipe 27.

Manifestly, the hinge assembly may be associated with a toilet bowl and a suction fan without the use of the shutter mechanism and may be operatively connected to a fan with other bowls so as to provide a multiple hookup or may be used singularly and independently connected to other suitable means for withdrawing noxious gases from the bowl. Further, the junction box or housing 99 communicates with the discharge pipe 27 in such a manner that the shutter mechanism therein controls the flow of the air and gas from the bowl to the discharge pipe. The blades are pivotally connected to the fixed ring 117 and also movably connected to the rings 113 and 116 so that normally the spring 114 will cause the blades to be moved to their closed position thereby preventing the suction in the main suction pipe 27 from drawing air through the box 99 from the bowl 23. However, when the magnet 109 is energized, its operative connection with the rings 113 and 116 will cause the rotation of the latter in an opposite direction than that caused by the spring 114, with the result that the blades 120 will be simultaneously moved to their open position in order to allow the free flow of the noxious gases from the bowl to the discharge pipe.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 17 the cover is removed from the toilet bowl and the straps 46 (Fig. 2) are omitted, with the result that the tubular portion 45 of the hinge assembly 44 is wider and extends close to but spaced from the heads 34 and 36 of the bolts 31 (Fig. 3) so that the portion 50 of the hinge assembly may be readily connected to the underside of the seat. Otherwise the construction is substantially similar to that previously described.

In Figure 18 the front of the juncton box 99 is arranged to be closed by a cover 101 having spaced parallel openings 96 for receiving the pipes 96 (Fig. 7) so as to secure these pipes to the cover 101 in any suitable manner such as by the retaining nuts 97'.

Figure 19 shows an electrical diagram for a single hinge installation substantially similar to that shown in Figure 15 but with the omission of a. junction box since the latter is not required in such a hookup.

Figures 20, 21 and 22 show further modifications of multiple hookups from that disclosed in Figure 1. In Figure 20 the horizontally disposed junction boxes 99 are connected to the vertical pipes 27 through the pipes 26 and with the junction boxes positioned on different floors and the fan 28 located in the basement of the building. In Figure 21 there are provided spaced horizontal pipes 26 and the vertical pipes 27 so arranged that the junction boxes 99 are positioned on different floors. The pipes 26 may be provided with the branch connections 26a for connecting the junction boxes thereto and the fan 28 may be connected to a pipe 26 on an intermediate floor. Figure 22 shows a horizontal installation with all of the boxes 99 being connected to the horizontal pipe 27 on the same floor and the fan 28 located in a garage or utility room on the same floor as the boxes 99. Thus it will be seen that various arrangements may be provided and an unlimited number of toilets may be installed in a building on the various floors and their communication with the outlet pipe and "the suction fan.

It will be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments and that such changes may be made as come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim: a

1. In combination with a toilet bowl, a hinge and vent assembly for the seat of the bowl, said assembly including a transversely disposed tubular supporting member positioned above and adjacent the rear of thebow-l, means connecting the supporting member to the bowl, a seat hinge member having a tubular portion rotatably mounted on said supporting member, said hinge member having a horizontal portion extending outwardly and laterally from the tubular portion and including an upper wall and a spaced bottom wall, the space between said walls constituting an air passage communicating with the interior of said tubular supporting member, said lower A wall terminating in an upwardly flared outer end, said horizontal portion having a transverse portion positioned in front of the flared end of said lower-wall and extending downwardly and rearwardly to form a fluid trap therewith, and means connecting a seat to said hinge member, said fluidtrap providing means for preventing splashings from the bowl entering the air passage when the seat is in its raised or lowered position.

2. In combination with a toilet bowl, a hinge and vent assembly for the seat of the bowl, said assembly including a transversely disposed tubular supporting member positioned above and adjacent the rear of the bowl, means hinge member having a tubular, portion rotatably mounted on said supporting member, said hinge member having N a horizontal portion extending outwardly and laterally from the tubular portion and including an upper wall and a spaced bottom wall of greater length than the upper wall, the space between said walls constituting an air passage communicating with the interior of said tubular supporting member, said lower wall terminating in an upwardly flared outer end, said horizontal portion having spaced side arms connected by an intermediate transverse portion positioned in front of the flared end of said lower wall and extending downwardly and rearwardly to form a fluid trap therewith, means connecting a seat to said hinge member so that the seat overlaps the lower wall and forms therewith a passage for communicating said air passage with the bowl, and means for withdrawing the noxious gases from the bowl through said passages.

3. In combination with a toilet bowl, a hinge and vent assembly for the seat of the bowl, said assembly including a transversely disposed tubular supporting member positioned above and adjacent the rear of the bowl, means connecting the supporting member to the bowl, a seat hinge member having a tubular portion rotatatably mounted on said supporting member, said hinge member having a horizontal portion extending outwardly and laterally from the tubular portion and including an upper wall and a spaced bottom wall, the space between said walls constituting an air passage communicating with the interior of said tubular supporting member, said lower wall terminating in an upwardly flared outer end, said horizontal portion having a transverse portion positioned in front of the flared end of said lower wall and extending downwardly and rearwardly to form a louvre passage, means connecting a seat to said hinge member, the flared end of said lower wall coacting with said transverse portion to provide a fluid trap for preventing splashings from the bowl entering into the passages when the seat is in either its raised or lowered position, and suction means communicating with said passages for withdrawing noxious gases from the bowl.

4. In combination with a toilet bowl as called for in claim 2 in which said hinge member has a centrally disposed solid portion spaced from the side arms so as to form spaced air passages, communicating with said'tubular supporting member, said solid portion having a recess, a

compression. switch mounted in saidrecess and having a depending pushbar arranged to engage the top of the bowl when the seat is in its operative position, electrically operable suction. means. communicating with said tubular supporting member and the interior of the bowl, and means operatively connecting the compression switch to said suction means. to operate-the latter when downward. pressure is, applied to. the seat.

5. In combination. with a. toilet venting system including a. .ventlpipe, a. tubular. fitting communicating with said pipe, a suction. fan communicating with said pipe, a toilet bowl, a housing positioned between said bowl and said vent pipe, a shutter mechanism in said housing for controlling the flow of gases from the bowl into the vent pipe, means for normally maintaining the shutter mechanism closed, electrical means connected to said shutter mechanism for opening the same, a transversely disposed tubular supporting member positioned above and adjacent the rear of the bowl, means connecting said supporting member to said bowl, a seat hinge member having a horizontal portion extending outwardly and laterally from the tubular portion and including an upper wall and a spaced bottom wall, the space between the walls constituting an air passage communicating with the interior of said tubular supporting member, said lower wall terminating in an upwardly flared outer end, said horizontal portion having a transverse portion, said transverse portion being positioned in front of said flared end and extending downwardly and rearwardly to form a fluid trap therewith, means connecting a seat to said hinge member, said fluid trap providing means for preventing splashings from the bowl entering into the air passage when the seat is in its raised or lowered position, a switch electrically connected to said suction fan and said shutter mechanism, and means operatively connecting said switch to said seat for closing the switch when the seat is depressed so as to operate the suction fan and open'the shutter mechanism.

6, In combination with a toilet ventilating system including a common vent pipe, spaced pairs of bowls communicating with said vent pipe, a suction fan communicating with said vent pipe, a tubular fitting communicating each bowl with said vent pipe, a shutter mechanism movably mounted in said housing for controlling the flow of gases'from the bowl into the vent pipe, means for normally maintaining the shutter mechanism in its closed position, electrical means connected to said shuttermechanism for opening the same, a transversely disposed tubular supporting member positioned above and adjacent the rear of the bowl, means connecting the supporting member to the bowl, a seat hinge member having a horizontal portion extending outwardly and laterally therefrom and including an upper wall and a spaced bottom wall, the space between said walls constituting an air passage communicating with the interior of the sup porting member, said lower Wall terminating in an up wardly flared outer end, said horizontal portion having spaced side arms connected by a transverse portion, said transverse portion being positioned in front of the flared end of said lower wall and extending downwardly and rearwardly to form a fluid trap therewith, means connecting a seat to said hinge member, said fluid trap providing means for preventing splashings from the bowl entering the air passage when the seat is in its raised or lowered position, a switch electrically connected to said fan and the electrical means connected to said shutter mechanism, and means operatively connecting said switch to said seat for closing the switch when the seat is depressed so as to operate the suction fan and open the shutter mechanism.

7. In combination with a toilet venting system as called for in claim 5, in which the electrical means connected to 1 1 the shutter mechanism includes outside wiring and inside wiring positioned within thehousing, spring clips onthe outside and inside of the housing for connecting the inside wiring to the outside wiring so as to. provide an electrical connection which does not interfere with the withdrawing of the noxious gases from the bowl.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 230,923 Cook -2 Aug. 10, 1880 686,291 Hannah Nov. 12, 1901 745,313 Bate -2- Dec. 1, 1903 776,888 Caspar Dec. 6, 1.904 832,247 Edwards Oct. 2, 1906 12 Levenhagen et a1. Mar. 28, 1911 Felthaus May 4, 1926 Mahnken Jan. 8, 1927 Cole Mar. 31,1931 Norris et a1. Nov. 10, 1931 Dick June 7, 1938 Heuhacker Sept. 24, 1940 Jentzer Apr. 14, 1942 Long June 16, 1942 Briscoe et a1 May 25, 1943 Hazard June 22, 1943 Matheis Sept. 26, 1950 Frank Apr. 24, 1951 Barbato Aug. 18, 1953 

